DURHAM, UK – Nottingham Panthers currently occupy 2nd position in the Elite League 5 points behind the league leaders the Belfast Giants. Panthers enjoyed a great result last weekend as they claimed a 3-2 victory away from home against Belfast in the Odyssey a result which firmly keeps Nottingham in the title race.
Pro Hockey News recently had the opportunity to speak with Robert Lachowicz from the Panthers to get his thoughts on the season and his international ambitions.
Robert initially talked of how Nottingham were doing on the ice in the 2011/12 campaign.
“I think the season started well for us, and looked very promising having built a great team with good guys. We have had a few slip ups so far but hopefully nothing that will have too much influence on the outcome of our season.
“Having had some results that aren’t in our favour, I think that if we continue to perform well against Sheffield and Belfast then there is no reason that we won’t be able to catch Belfast or stay ahead of Sheffield.
Robert went on to evaluate Panthers 2010/11 season when Corey Neilson’s side fell short in the league campaign but went onto win the Challenge Cup and Play Off titles.
“The league title is always going to be the most important achievement possible in the EIHL and is always the goal at the start of every season. However, considering the way our season looked at Christmas last year, we turned it all around well and won the two remaining competitions, that probably would make that season a success.”
Lachowicz has been able to record just under a point per game (36 points in 44 games to date) so far this season. Such point production puts the youngster just behind established British players such as Matt Myers and David Clarke in the scoring charts. Despite such impressive numbers Robert still believes he has areas he can improve on.
“Well there is always room for improvement, and always situations where you think you should’ve done something differently. However, you can’t perform perfectly so I am pretty happy with my form but could always hope for better!”
Robert went onto chat about how he sees his role on the Panthers roster.
“I would describe my role as a high energy player, trying to bring speed to the team. But whatever Corey asks from me I will try my best to do, anything that I can do to help the team out, be it 5 on 5, penalty killing or on the power play.”
Pro Hockey News then asked Robert about being selected for Great Britain for last year’s senior World Championships in Kiev and how he had enjoyed competing in the international arena.
“I was very surprised to first get the email asking me to turn up for the national team trials. I thought this would be a great experience in itself to get a feel for playing with the best players the nation has to offer. But then to find out I was selected for the final team was such a surprise.
Robert in action against the Fife Flyers
“The championships were a great experience and a great opportunity to play against some very good hockey players from all over the world. The speed of the games was very fast. I feel that having guys there which I knew and felt comfortable being around helped me settle right into the team and I did not feel out of place at all.
Robert then went onto speak of the change in the coaching set up for the GB national team and of the team’s chances in this year’s tournament.
“My experiences from being with the team in 2010/11 were very good, I am very grateful for the opportunity Paul Thompson gave me. So it was a bit of a shock to hear he was stepping down as this was my first year with the national team. I guess I was expecting him to be coach again as he has been with the national team for quite a while. However, Tony Hand now has the job and after playing under him in Manchester I’m sure he will do just as well as Thommo has done with the national team.
“The structure of the Championships has now changed meaning GB will be in a group with better quality opponents, making it harder! But with hard work we have already shown that we can compete against the better teams in the group, hopefully a sign of how we will do in future championships.”
Lachowicz then went onto chat about the best players he had shared the ice with and the youngsters coming through the ranks he thought could have a major future in the game.
“Cameron Mann would have to be one of the best players I have played with, it makes playing the game so much easier when playing with him. As a forward, to play against a Dman such as Craig Weller (formerly of Cardiff ) last year, I found him very tough to play against.
“A couple of young guys training with us at the moment are Daniel Rose and Ollie Betteridge. Both seem to Have very good ‘hockey brains’ and I could easily see them stepping up and playing in the Elite League in the future. Also goalie Sam Gospel has been very impressive when he has trained with the team.”
As the interview was approaching its conclusion Robert spoke of who had had the biggest influences on his career to date and what experiences had helped to improve his all round game.
“Obviously without my family and their support, there is no way I would be playing at the level I am at now. They have given up a lot of their own money and time for me to be able to be involved with the sport that I love. I am very grateful for them letting me make my own choices, and supporting whichever choice I wish to make.
“I would say that playing with very good, experienced players that have played in some of the best leagues around the world (has helped me enormously). You are able to learn something different from each player as they all bring something new and all have alternative ways of thinking about the game and the best way to deal with situations that arise in games. Using these different opinions and techniques to find the things that work best for myself is how I try to improve season on season.”
Thanks to Robert for taking the time out to chat to Pro Hockey News and we wish him and his side all the best for the remainder of the campaign.
Image courtesy of Ian Buchan
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
